Researchers have discovered a chemical fingerprint of methane gas from ancient ocean sediments, indicating massive passage of methane through the sediments. The findings suggest that methane clathrates played a significant role in mass extinctions associated with climate change.
A recent study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These findings suggest an intensifying global water cycle, which could disrupt ocean circulation patterns and exacerbate global warming.
Research found a 10-20% point gap in vaccination rates between blacks and whites, even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. The study suggests that culturally appropriate messages and additional resources are needed to improve flu vaccination rates among underserved communities.
A new study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These shifts suggest an acceleration of the Earth's water cycle, potentially exacerbating global warming and disrupting ocean circulation.
Jack Wolf, a UCSD professor, has won the IEEE Award for his groundbreaking research on digital information storage and signal processing. His team's work has been incorporated into various communication and storage systems, including satellites, hard disk drives, and cellular phones.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital identified a key role for the hippocampus in forming episodic memories. The study used rats to examine brain activity while they searched for food in a maze, revealing place cells that signaled location alone and others sensitive to recent or impending events.
Researchers have discovered that Heat shock protein (Hsp) 70.1 and 70.3 can be used to increase cancer cells' vulnerability to radiation treatments, offering a new treatment window for cancer patients. The proteins were found to interact with telomerase, an enzyme that helps maintain the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes.
New evidence from south China suggests a massive methane release occurred about 600 million years ago, thawing the Earth's climate. Methane hydrates are believed to be the source of this release, which would have had a profound impact on global climate if it were to happen again.
Rutgers University has been awarded a four-year, $5.45 million grant to construct and operate a wireless networking test bed for researchers nationwide. The test bed will include laboratory and field trial facilities, allowing researchers to test emerging wireless protocols in a standardized setting.
A study by Michigan Medicine and Harvard University found that FDA review fees for drug companies haven't led to faster approvals. The researchers analyzed data from 843 new drugs submitted between 1977 and 2000 and found that staffing levels, not fee-based system, were responsible for the decline in approval times.
Researchers develop biodegradable beads coated with targeting molecules to effectively treat inflammatory diseases like arthritis and heart disease. The particles can travel through the bloodstream and stick to inflamed tissues, offering a potential solution to conventional drug delivery issues.
H. Steven Wiley and colleagues use systems biology to analyze the EGFR receptor network, revealing surprising complexities. They predict that lower-affinity ligands can bind longer, allowing for more effective cancer treatments.
Researchers found that a combined drug therapy of finasteride and doxazosin significantly reduced the risk of BPH progression by 66 percent, compared to placebo. The treatment also provided greater symptom relief and improved urinary flow rate. Men at highest risk for BPH progression, such as those with larger prostates or elevated ser...
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and NASA's Glenn Research Center have partnered to develop new sealing technologies for solid oxide fuel cells. The goal is to improve the strength and fracture toughness of composite glass and glass-ceramic-based seals, enabling long-term stable operation of SOFCs.
Researchers have made detailed measurements showing that the smallest particles are the most toxic, easily flowing into the lungs and coating moist tissue. The findings raise concerns about current national air quality standards for particulate matter, which have been linked to 60,000 smog-related deaths in the US each year.
The report analyzes survival data from 23,000 children diagnosed between 1990 and 1994, showing significant differences in overall cancer survival rates. The Nordic countries had the highest survival figures for four major childhood tumor types, with an average five-year survival rate of 71.8% across all European countries.
The International HapMap Project aims to map the locations of representative tag SNPs in DNA samples from diverse populations. The project's results will increase the power and reduce the cost of future genetic association studies, significantly speeding up the discovery of genes involved in common diseases.
A double-blind study found that combination therapy with finasteride and doxazosin significantly delayed BPH progression in men with symptomatic BPH. The treatment reduced the risk of acute urinary retention and need for surgical intervention by over 65%.
Computer simulations show that wind-driven upwelling along the California coast will intensify over the next 50 years due to increased carbon dioxide concentrations. The upwelling season is expected to extend further into the fall, supporting some of the observational work showing a trend toward increased upwelling intensity.
A Virginia Tech researcher has been awarded $1.8 million to investigate the Arabidopsis genome, a key plant model organism. The project aims to understand the function of SABATH faculty of methyltransferase genes in plants, which could lead to breakthroughs in plant physiology and reproduction.
A new study found that exercise mode, rather than volume, influences hormone levels and changes in testosterone, DHEAS, and cortisol. Resistance-trained males had higher basal testosterone levels, while endurance-trained males had lower testosterone levels compared to sedentary subjects.
The International HapMap Consortium has outlined its policies for rapidly releasing human genetic variation data to researchers worldwide. The $120 million project aims to create a public resource map of common human genetic patterns, facilitating the discovery of genes associated with diseases and response to medicines.
A study found that alcohol exposure during prenatal and postnatal stages may program offspring for insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Offspring exposed to ethanol showed increased glycemia, decreased insulin sensitivity, and higher triglyceride levels.
A Canadian study found that children with higher aerobic fitness reported fewer 'sick' days, while those with high body fat experienced more URTIs. Regular physical activity and lower body fat were also linked to better immune function in children.